Portsmouth street-art festival sees record-breaking attendance

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Portsmouth residents have enjoyed a record-breaking weekend of vibrant street art, with more than 117 artists transforming the city.

Up to 30,000 people attended the second annual LOOKUP Portsmouth festival, a hugely anticipated event curated by Andy Phipps from That Art Gallery which saw 32 key buildings, landmarks, and walls across Portsmouth transformed with stunning murals.

Over 1,000 litres of paint were used to create the captivating artworks, showcasing the work of both internationally and locally renowned artists, many of whom addressed pressing social and global issues.

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Headliners included Beau Stanton, Inkie, Marina Capdevila, KMG, Reka One, Mando Marie, Yessiow, My Dog Sighs, Jasmine Crisp, Cristina Reyes, Perspicere, Ben Eine, Midge, Sophi Odling, Bex Glover, Sweet Toof/Rowdy, Chinny Bond, Ooberla, Toasters, Winnie May, Fark, Roo Abrook and Merny Wernz.

LOOK UP PortsmouthLOOK UP Portsmouth
LOOK UP Portsmouth

The festival also invited residents to participate in two engaging workshops—one on doodling and another on spray painting—while the drop-in Creative Corner provided materials such as pavement chalks, paints, and markers for all ages to explore their creativity.

“The joy of being involved in LOOKUP is knowing the artworks will continue to engage a diverse audience, many of whom may not typically visit museums or galleries,” said Andy.

“While public art can be shared online, it’s far more impactful when seen in the community, as the artist intended. Street art also fosters a sense of ownership and pride among locals, sparking interest in art and culture. That's why the murals we've facilitated are permanent, only to be replaced if they’re damaged, fade significantly, or fall off the walls."

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A key highlight of the festival was the involvement of local young people, who painted their own murals at the Local Artist Arena, underscoring the festival’s dedication to nurturing talent at all levels. The creative energy continued in the Women’s Development Area, where emerging female street artists shared how the opportunity had propelled their artistic practice forward.

Perspicere - LOOK UP Portsmouth 2024Perspicere - LOOK UP Portsmouth 2024
Perspicere - LOOK UP Portsmouth 2024

Following the day’s activities, the Salvation Army Family Hostel celebrated muralist, painter, and sculptor Reka One, honouring his striking mural on the side of the St Paul’s Road building while recognising the achievements of the hostel’s staff.

Festival Director, Angela Parks, said: “It was wonderful to see the people of Portsmouth fully embracing the festival, it is such a humbling event that showcases the power of community.

“We’ve experienced some brilliant feedback, including residents on Waterloo Street expressing their delight at seeing art brighten their area, while those living on Church Road provided parking permits for the artists. Several homeowners even invited artists for meals, welcoming them into the neighbourhood as they painted murals on their homes.”

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Angela continued: “It takes an incredible team to bring this event to life. The support we received from council staff was invaluable—they offered so much guidance and assistance that we considered them honorary members of the team. We were also fortunate to have around 200 volunteers who contributed in countless ways, from painting walls to delivering lunches and stewarding the event. Special recognition goes to local artist Donna Poingdestre and Smiley Pete, who played crucial roles behind the scenes. Together, they were the backbone and heart of everything we do.”

In addition to the support of local artists and homeowners, key sponsors such as Arts Council England, Portsmouth City Council, Southern Co-op, and Portsmouth Creates were essential in making the event possible. Most crucial was the ongoing support from Network Rail, Portsmouth City Council, and the University of Portsmouth, which granted permission for key mural sites.

Angela added: “We are delighted with the success of this year’s event, and our favourite part is hearing people tell us how they’ve connected with others while viewing the art. We hope that LOOKUP Portsmouth will continue to grow and thrive. Please watch this space for next year’s updates.”

For more information on LOOKUP Portsmouth, please visit: https://www.lookup-portsmouth.co.uk/

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